sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation). Likewise, in Toposa all the different bodies of water are all called by one term as well: nya-name̥ (source: Schröder 2026, p. 101).

In Malagasy culture, the sea is perceived as sacred because it was a path taken by the ancestors. That is why the Malagasy word for the “sea” is ranomasina, which literally means “the sacred water.” The word masina actually has two different meanings: “salted” and “sacred/holy.” Salt is used for the conservation of some foods, such as meat or fish, that are to be set aside for later use. In this sense, the Malagasy phrase for “Holy Spirit” has the literal meaning of “Salted Spirit.” (Source: Brigitte Rabarijaona in The Bible Translator 2022, p. 103ff.)

“Sea” (or: “ocean”) is translated in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “water land” and in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac as “very big lake.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Numbers 33:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 33:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “They left Pi-hahiroth and crossed/went through the Red Sea to the wilderness. They went a journey of three days and arrived in the wilderness of Etham and set up their tents where it is called Marah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “From Pi-hahiroth they crossed over the Red Sea and went into the wilderness. Going for three days into the wilderness of Etham, they camped in Mara.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From Pi Hahirot they crossed-over the sea and went-towards the desert. They traveled for a period/[lit. inside] of three days in the desert of Etam, and they camped at Mara.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then they/we left Pi-Hahiroth and walked through the Red Sea into the Etham Desert, and set their/our tents at Marah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)